Surname Gerkens - Meaning and Origin
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Gerkens: What does the surname Gerkens mean?
The last name Gerkens is thought to be of Dutch and German origin. It is derived from the Dutch phrase "Gerken," which means "porters or carriers of goods." Historically, the name was used to describe someone who had the occupation of carrying goods from one town to another. It may also have been used as a nickname for someone who was strong and physically able to help with the transport of goods.
Additionally, the name Gerkens may have derived from the German word “Gercke”, which is an old 37th-century term for a younger son of a family - usually a farmer. This name could have been bestowed as a sign of respect and admiration for someone who was an excellent worker who helped his family.
The name Gerkens might also refer to a place in an old German state of Thuringia. During 1290, a family with this surname is believed to have lived there.
Gerkens is still a popular surname in modern times, found particularly in the Netherlands and Germany. It may have evolved to mean "one who travels," or "one who is especially energetic" due to the likely historical occupations of travelers, carriers, and farmers of this name. Gerkens may have also come to symbolise resilience, hard work, and strength of character.
Order DNA origin analysisGerkens: Where does the name Gerkens come from?
The last name Gerkens is most commonly found in the Province of Liege in Belgium. The name Gerkens goes back over 500 years when the progenitor of the name, John Gerkens, was first recorded in the parish of Visé in 1467. It is believed that the name Gerkens is of German origin and derived from the name Gerken, but this is not certain.
Today, Gerkens is the 44th most common surname in the Province of Liege. It can also still be found to a lesser extent in the Netherlands, Germany, Luxembourg, Switzerland and even the United States. It is also likely that some of the descendants of the incredibly diverse Belgian population who immigrated to other countries such as Canada, South America and Australia also bear the name.
Despite its relatively low popularity, Gerkens is a surname with an impressive and long history. Though the origin story behind it may have been lost in time, the fact that it has survived and is still in use today is evidence of its importance in the region, and to the families who have long borne it.
Variations of the surname Gerkens
The surname Gerkens is a patronymic Dutch surname, meaning “son of Gerk”. It is derived from a shortened form of the given name Gerard or Gerhard. Variants of the surname Gerkens include Gerk, Gerken, Gerkins, Gerking and Gerkin.
Gerkens can be found in numerous spellings, depending on the language and where the name originated. In Dutch, some notable variants include Gerkens, Gerckens, Gercks, Gerckx, and Gerkx. In German, some popular spellings include Gercken, Gercke, Gerckes, Gerken, Gerki, Gerkin, Gerking, and Gerkling.
In addition to these variants, this surname also has a few interesting derivatives. The most common alternative form is Garst, which was a Norman French diminutive of Gerard. Other related surnames include Gerkie, Gerkin, and Jerkens.
The surname Gerkens can also be found in its original Dutch spelling in the USA, Canada, New Zealand, Australia, South Africa, and the Netherlands, as well as in Dutch East India, which was formerly known as a Dutch colony. This makes this surname a global name, with many countries around the world having citizens who bear this name.
In conclusion, those who are looking for variants and derivatives of the surname Gerkens can find a wide array of spellings and surnames that are related to this name. Some of these surnames are Gercken, Garst, Gercke, Gerckes, Gerken, Gerki, Gerkin, Gerking, Gerkling, Gerkie, and Jerkens. All of these spellings and surnames are related to the surname Gerkens in origin.
Famous people with the name Gerkens
- Barb Gerkens: Barb is a retired American professional basketball player who played as a center in the WNBA for the Los Angeles Sparks from 1999-2005.
- Sari Gerkens: Sari is a contemporary painter, best known for her colorful abstract artwork that is influenced by the environment she paints in.
- Nicole Gerkens: Nicole is a Swiss figure skater and Olympic medalist. She has skated professionally since 1992 and won a bronze medal in ladies' singles at the 2006 Winter Olympics.
- May-Beth Gerkens: May-Beth is a professional dancer and former artistic director of the Los Angeles Tap Festival, an event dedicated to preserving the art of tap dancing.
- Brian Gerkens: Brian is a former Major League Baseball pitcher who played for the Boston Red Sox, Kansas City Royals, and the San Francisco Giants.
- Carolyn Gerkens: Carolyn is an American professional surfer and model who is known for competing on the World Surf League tour and appearing in campaigns for many brands such as Billabong and Roxy.
- Michael Gerkens: Michael is a German composer and music producer who has produced music for films and television shows.
- Jeroen Gerkens: Jeroen is a Belgian cyclist who has raced professionally since 2011 with teams such as Omega Pharma-Quick Step and Lotto-Soudal.
- Astrid Gerkens: Astrid is a Dutch Olympic swimmer who competed in the 1992 Summer Olympics in Barcelona.
- Jelle Gerkens: Jelle is a Belgian football player who currently plays in the Belgian Second Division for KVC Westerlo.